10 best walks in the Yorkshire Dales
If you’re a nature lover or a keen walker, the Yorkshire Dales should be at the top of your travel bucket list. Even if you’ve not done a lot of walking before, plenty of the best walks in the Yorkshire Dales don’t require a lot of experience or effort, and you’ll be richly rewarded with stunning views of Yorkshire’s rolling hills, dramatic vistas and historic sights.
We’ve picked out what we think are the best Yorkshire Dale walks, showcasing the natural beauty and diverse landscapes of this charming county. Grab your walking boots, and discover our take on the 10 best walks in the Yorkshire Dales.
1. Bolton Abbey and Strid Wood
Ideal for families and leisurely walkers, the circular Bolton Abbey and Strid Wood walk combines beautiful riverside scenery with historical landmarks. Enjoy a gentle stroll along the River Wharfe, passing picturesque ruins and the famous Strid, where the river narrows to a sudden point, forcing the water through at a powerful force.
Walking along the banks of the river Wharfe, follow the shady path through the ancient woodland of Strid Wood. If you’re lucky, you might spot otters, kingfishers, and roe deer on your walk. Take a break at one of the picnic spots or back at the striking Bolton Abbey, and soak up the peaceful atmosphere.
Start at: Bolton Abbey
Duration: Around 3 hours, depending on your experience and fitness level
2. Skipton Woods Walk
This walk begins near the well-preserved medieval fort Skipton Castle and winds through the dense and diverse Skipton Castle woods. You’ll find majestic oak, beech, and sycamore trees that create a cool canopy as you walk, and in spring there are plenty of wildflowers and bluebells as well as banks of fragrant wild garlic.
You’ll see plenty of interesting wood carvings along the trail, leading to the peaceful Round Dam Lake and then onwards to the weir in Eller Beck. It’s a very manageable and peaceful walk, perfect for weekend walks or a family day out.
Start at: Mill Bridge, Skipton
Duration: Around 1 hour
3. Aysgarth Falls
Located in Wensleydale, Aysgarth Falls is another beautiful Yorkshire sight. This circular walk allows you to explore the series of waterfalls along the River Ure, winding through woodland and leading you on a relatively gentle stroll across fields and meadows. The path leads you back to Lower Force, where you can sit on the wide, flat rocks at the waterside, then through to Middle Force, and finally to High Force.
It’s an ideal family walk, and you’ll get some great views of historic Bolton Castle as well as plenty of places to sit and enjoy a picnic. Cool off by the cascades and enjoy the peaceful energy of this picturesque spot.
Start at: Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre
Duration: Around 2 hours, depending on your experience and fitness level
4. Malham Cove and Gordale Scar
This circular walk is ideal for showing you the variety in Yorkshire’s scenery, winding through pretty woodland, waterfalls, and dramatic limestone scenery.
Starting in the village of Malham, the route passes by the pretty waterfall known as Janet’s Foss – ‘foss’ is the Scandinavian word for waterfall, and local legend has it that Janet, or Jennet, was a fairy queen who was reputed to live in a cave behind the waterfall.
The walk will then lead you into the dramatic gorge of Gordale Scar, with its towering limestone cliffs seeming carved into the landscape. Here, you can choose whether to brave the infamous ‘scramble’, where you can scale the small waterfall and continue the walk from there or to head to the natural lake at Malham Tarn and then onwards to Malham Cove.
Start at: Malham
Duration: 3-4 hours, depending on your experience and fitness level
5. Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
If the sight of a waterfall makes a long walk worth it for you, then the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a perfect choice for your next walk in the Yorkshire Dales.
This circular walk spans approximately 4.5 miles and takes you past a series of waterfalls, including Pecca Falls, with 5 bubbling waterfalls and deep plunge pools. The highlight of the walk is probably Thornton Force, with a dramatic 14-metre sheer drop waterfall that makes for a stunning sight.
This trail also takes you through beautiful woodland and along riverside scenery, making it a perfect choice for a family outing or an easier, slower weekend walk.
Start at: Ingleton
Duration: 2.5-4 hours, depending on your experience and fitness level
6. Malham Tarn
You might have glimpsed Malham Tarn on the Gordale Scar walk, but it’s worth heading there to spend some time at England’s highest lime-rich lake. This circular route takes you through peaceful countryside, so you can enjoy the serene beauty of the tarn and the surrounding fells. Overlooked by the dramatic cliffs of Great Close Scar, it’s a relaxed walk that will still show you plenty of impressive sights.
Malham Tarn is renowned for its local wildlife, so keen birdwatchers will want to bring their binoculars and pop into the bird hide along the trail. Keep an eye out for coots, moorhens, and gold crested glebes.
Start at: Watersinks Car Park
Duration: Around 3 hours, depending on your experience and fitness level
7. Grassington to Bolton Abbey
If you enjoy being by water, this is one of the best walks in the Yorkshire Dales for you. Part of the Dales Way, this moderately challenging walk goes from Grassington to Bolton Abbey, crossing the River Wharfe and taking you past aqueducts and over a suspension bridge.
This scenic route takes you through charming villages, lush meadows, and tranquil woodland, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife along the way. When you arrive at Bolton Abbey, take time to explore the impressive ruins and discover more about the history of the ruined abbey.
Start at: Grassington
Duration: Around 4-5 hours, depending on your experience and fitness level
8. Pen-y-Ghent
A more challenging walk in the Yorkshire Dales, Pen-y-Ghent offers an exhilarating climb with incredible views. It’s often the first of the peaks that people tackle on the Three Peaks Challenge, and the straightforward circular route from Horton-in-Ribblesdale is easy enough to follow, making it a solid way to conquer your first peak.
This walk takes you through plenty of interesting Yorkshire landscapes, including moorland, limestone pavement, and rocky paths. Be warned that there’s a brief scramble up to the very top, but it’s not the most challenging and there are plenty of handholds. And after all, the final burst of effort just makes the breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys and hills all the more rewarding!
Start at: Horton-in-Ribblesdale
Duration: Around 3 hours, depending on your experience and fitness level
9. Whernside
For those seeking more challenging walks in the Yorkshire Dales, Whernside is where you’ll want to set your sights. Whernside is a classic Yorkshire Dale walk for experienced hikers, tackling the highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales and the highest of the Three Peaks (the other two being Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent). This walk is the classic route, offering gorgeous scenic views along the Settle to Carlisle railway line.
The walk is a long climb up to the ridge at 736 meters, and when you hit the summit you’ll be rewarded with some truly breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The ascent can be steep and demanding, but the sense of accomplishment and the stunning vistas make it well worth the effort.
Start at: Ribblehead
Duration: 3-4 hours, depending on your experience and fitness level
10. Ribblehead Viaduct and Ingleborough
One of the best walks in the Yorkshire Dales for walkers who are up to the challenge, this route is a classic, combining the striking sight of Ribblehead Viaduct with the challenge of climbing Ingleborough. You’ll ascend Park Fell first, but the initial steep slopes give way to an easier walk upwards.
As you trek through dramatic landscapes, you’ll be treated to magnificent views of the viaduct and the surrounding moorland with the famous limestone pavements. Reaching the summit of Ingleborough offers a genuine sense of accomplishment, and a breathtaking panorama of the Dales for your troubles.
Start at: Ribblehead
Duration: 4-5 hours, depending on your experience and fitness level
Whether you’re seeking a short walk in the Yorkshire Dales to take in the scenery, feeling up for a more challenging hike, or ready to take on the Three Peaks, the Yorkshire Dales has something for everyone.
As you head off on your exploration of the Dales, remember to wear appropriate footwear, pack essential supplies, and check weather conditions beforehand. Check out the Yorkshire Dales safety guide for more information, and remember to respect the environment and follow the countryside code.
Ready to plan your visit to the Yorkshire Dales and start your adventure? Consider staying in one of our holiday lettings in Harrogate or apartment rentals in York to make the most of your trip – and if all that walking has helped you to build up an appetite, don’t forget to check out our guide to the best restaurants in Harrogate, or keep the family entertained with the best things to do in York with kids.